I would imagine most of us know the story of 101 Dalmatians, whether it’s the original Disney classic 1961 movie, the live action reboot, or indeed the Cruella reinvention of recent years. We should of course mention the original novel. It was published in 1956 and written by Dodie Smith having first been serialised in Woman’s Day monthly magazine.
The film is so loved that it was re-issued to cinemas four times, in 1969, 1979, 1985 and 1991. The 1991 reissue was the twentieth highest earning film of the year.
We mention all of that because the latest production to take to the New Theatre stage, 101 DALMATIANS THE MUSICAL, has a lot of pedigree (no pun intended) behind it, and a lot to live up to. With a great cast, a story that pretty much sticks to the original, a soundtrack which will have you singing along when you leave the theatre, and of course adorable doggies in awesome lifelike puppet form, the show has delivered on all fronts, and we can tell you last night’s audience absolutely loved it.
The show is not only a classic story, but also a proper family night at the theatre with plenty of ‘oohing and ahhing‘ over the cute puppies but even more ‘booing and hissing‘ for the ever evil Cruella De Vil, played superbly by KYM MARSH.
It’s basically a love story with a bit of ruff thrown in for good measure. We meet a pretty filthy down and out dog called Pongo (LINFORD JOHNSON) who is thrown out of a car by his owners. He’s in a bit of a state, smelly and filthy, hence the name Pongo, but having been taken care of at the Puppy Love Dogs Home he is adopted by animal care worker Danielle (JESSIE ELLAND).
Danielle then meets other Dalmatian loving Tom (SAMUEL THOMAS) and his dog Perdi (EMMA THORNETT) and real puppy and human love begins.
Everything is fine until Cruella enters the stage, and boy what an entrance she makes. The outfits are over the top, outrageous and everything that is so brilliant about the slightly bonkers Ms De Vil. Kym really takes the lead here (no pun intended again) and delivers a superbly devilish performance as Cruella. Her voice is next-level good and the audience really loved to hate her and her evil ways. Honestly, it was like a warm up for this years panto at times.
Following Cruella every step of the way are her two sidekicks, Jasper played by DANNY HENDRIX and Casper (CHARLES BRUNTON). Everything you love from the movies about these two bumbling buffoons is brought to life on stage. They are really funny, in a good old-fashioned slapstick way and every time they are on stage, the audience were laughing at them; job done fellas, a really great performance and one of the highlights of the show for us.
No matter how great the cast are, and believe me, they are all incredibly good. No matter how spectacular the set is, and yes, designer DAVID WOODHEAD has made a incredible job of creating something special. At times it’s dark and cold in the Haus of De Vil, to something which feels like it’s burst out of the original Disney cartoon.
No matter how good all that is, it’s the dogs who steal the show and believe me, within a minute you forget these are puppets created by the genius that is JIMMY GRIMES and are in fact real animals on stage, with the support of their human doppelgänger.
The dogs do everything, they sing and talk and really bring the show to life. I was looking around the audience at times and the look on the kids (and adults) faces was magical. The skill of the cast in pulling this off is impressive, particularly Linford and Emma as Pongo and Perdi, they turn in a best in class performance.
The show really delivers on all fronts and is perfectly timed for youngsters who have itchy feet and may have to go for walkies at regular intervals.
If you’re looking for a family night out then 101 DALMATIANS THE MUSICAL is a show we would definitely recommend. The story is a classic and the musical can definitely put itself in that category too. It’s fun and incredibly funny, but also filled with real heart. If you’re looking for the perfect treat then this doggy delight is definitely the one for you.
101 DALMATIANS THE MUSICAL is at the New Theatre in Cardiff through to Saturday 19th October. Performances are at 7:00pm each evening with a 2:30pm matinee today (Wednesday), Thursday and Saturday. For more details, and tickets go HERE.
You can read our original feature and interview with Kym Marsh HERE.
